Oh dear is your vet a cardiologist, an opthamologist & a neurologist ? If he isn't then he should not be giving you this advice

Cavaliers have five main health problems

1. Syringomyelia-the neurological problem caused by malformation of the skull & hernination of the brain. The only way a dog can be considered clinically clear is to have an MRI scan of the head. No GP vet can catergorically state your dog does not have SM unless your dog has been scanned, as dogs with SM may have no symptoms at all(like my Loukar he has the malformation, sphinx & herniation-but to date has no symptoms at all) No cavalier should be bred from that hasn't been screened by MRI until the marker gene has been found from the genome research,if any of your puppies develop SM the owners will be able to sue you for neligence for not having your bitch tested & the stud dog owner for allowing her dog to be used on an unscreened bitch

2. MVD no cavalier should be bred from that does not hold a clear current certificate, if any of your puppies develop MVD or have a murmur the owners will be able to sue you for neligence for not having your bitch tested & the stud dog owner for allowing her dog to be used on an untested bitch,

3. Retinal Dysplasia Your bitch can only be certifiied clear by a panellist from the BVA/ISDS/KC panel not your GP vet & he will not have the experience of a panellist to state your bitch is clear.

If any of your puppies develop RD or any other eye problems the owners will be able to sue you for neligence for not having your bitch tested & the stud dog owner for allowing her dog to be used on an untested bitch.

4.Idiopathic asymptomatic thrombocytopenia is a blood disorder & unless your vet has taken bloods from your bitch he cannot possibly state she does not have this.

5. Luxating Patellas this is something your vet can tests for & declare that your bitch is clear at the time of testing

You may wish to have a look at the Cavalier Health site before embarking on this mating It is an american site but has lots of information regarding required testing

The current advice on breeding ages BTW is at least 2 1/2 years of age for the bitch & dog & perferably the dog to be over 5 years of age with a current heart certificate

You & your vet should be aware that research to map the whole Cavalier genome is underway & until the marker genes for SM, MVD, RD etc are found testing is a requirement for responsible breeders

As some one who has two dogs with SM(one with symptoms with MVD & one without)& I would never buy a puppy from anyone who did not fully health screen their breeding stick & I would actively condemn anyone who breeds without health screening

My Loukar's beautiful father was used at a very early age, without MRI screening for SM, Milo was PTS because of the pain he was in from his SM before he reached his 3rd birthday, anyone who has seen a cavalier in pain & distress from SM never forgets it believe

As a breeder it is your responsibility to ensure any puppies you produce are as healthy as possible & if you go ahead with breeding your bitch untested to a non MRI screened dog you are certainly not being responsible or caring about your puppies

We are looking for another Cavalier & have been for two years, but we cannot consider one from parents that are not fully health screened

Well there you have it Lozzy, from someone who is living with it also, such a shame to put a beautiful breed in danger of such dreaful diseases when the means to prevent it is at your disposal. Hope your dogs do ok Dyane.
Dawn.

thanks guys for all your info,,i have read up infact that is all i seem to be doing lately..lol i will look into the tests more ,,i am not just going into this willy nilly,,the lady who i got lola from is very good and has had all her bitch.s tested and she has made sure that the studs have been also, she has not had any probs with any of her litters, and lola will be mated with her stud that she now owns, no he is not related to lola, before anyone asks, lol i am going into this with my eyes wide open, but if anyone has any further advice please let me know,,i have looked at the links provided and saved them to favs as not had to time to look at them all at the mo,,but i will do.

Hugs to all and thanks for all your support, and no my vet is not a heart specialist but he is very very good, but i am going too see where the local heart spec is too me , better get my skates on now as kids want feeding

Hugs Loz xxx

Ian Mason is the nearest Southampton

Do you have a contact number please

Hugs Loz xx